CITY OF WHITINGSTRATEGIC PLAN

Mayor Joe Stahura

Whiting City Council

May 8, 2007

Introduction

Why make this presentation? I feel it is important for everyone to know that our

decisions are made with a strategy involved…a method to the madness of sorts

To highlight our vision for future of our City I made a commitment to conduct at least two

public forums per year to hear your concerns

Plan Objectives

Help keep us focused Provide a road map to achieve goals Help sort out project proposals that are

consistent with our vision Proactive vs. Reactive Ensure continuity between multiple projects

6 Point Strategy1. Expand & Diversify our tax base 2. Improve the condition of residential and

commercial property within the City3. Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s

business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard)4. Continue to enhance the Quality of Life in the

community5. Develop & implement a plan to address the City’s

infrastructure needs6. Implement change to maximize the efficiency of

local government operations

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Expand & Diversify our tax base

Working with BP to maximize the 3rd party investments related to their expansion project

Aggressively pursuing Lakefront development opportunities that will bring increased investment

Reconstructing Standard Avenue, Front Street and 121st Street (east of Schrage) to allow new development to occur in this area

Acquiring key properties to control future development opportunities

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Expand & Diversify our tax base

Aggressively working to identify funding to demolish the former Globe Roofing buildings

New Center Street home project now progressing Investing in New York Avenue homes – Sale price

of $177,500 Working with dozens of prospective businesses

and developers to attract new venues Offering ED loans for large scale commercial

Investments

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Expand & Diversify our tax base

Aggressively working to market the former Justak Trucking property

Preparing for construction of the 1st condo building in the City’s history

Working with developers to retrofit additional condos into various renovation projects

Working with potential developers on planning and then constructing lakeview condos

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Improve the condition of residential and

commercial property within the City Tightly enforcing building codes & increasing the

number of residential & commercial inspections Providing matching assistance programs for

residential & commercial curbside appeal improvements – over $2.5M being invested

Offering ED loans for large scale commercial Investments

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Improve the condition of residential and

commercial property within the City Investing in new housing construction Demolishing unsafe and abandoned buildings Purchasing and renovating select properties

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s

business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard) Developed a branding & marketing initiative to

showcase our community and currently implementing the action plan

Developing physical & web based tools to fill vacant storefronts and attract new businesses

Developed a Business Assistance Program to assist merchants with specific business issues

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s

business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard) Added additional staff to focus on both Economic

Development & Community Development Working tirelessly with dozens of prospective

businesses and developers to attract new venues Providing matching assistance programs for

commercial curbside appeal improvements Offering ED loans for large scale commercial

Investments

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s

business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard) Acquiring key properties to control future

development opportunities Developing plans for civic attractions that will

bring shoppers & visitors to the community Installing new signage along 119th Street and

reviewing additional projects to enhance the charm of the business district

Established a Historic Preservation District to preserve the historic character of the street

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s

business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard) Funding a Wi-Fi program to create wi-fi hot spots

along the business corridor Working closely with the Chamber of Commerce

committees to enhance the district Sponsoring and hosting numerous special events

throughout the year focused on attracting shoppers to our community

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Strive to continually improve the Quality of

Life in the community Investing $700,000+ into the WCC to ensure this

important asset continues to provide Q of L services for the community for years to come, while aggressively seeking ways to improve the efficiency of the operation

Engineering a new pedestrian and bike trail connecting George Lake Trail to Whiting Lakefront that was ranked as the #1 project for funding in NWI - $750,000

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Strive to continually improve the Quality of

Life in the community Restoration of the Whiting Park Pavilion at a cost

of $225,000 Currently working on finalizing plans to construct a

joint Whiting-Robertsdale dog park Negotiating tax relief and new job opportunities for

Whiting residents with new industries looking to locate in Whiting

Working on railroad “Quiet Zone”

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Strive to continually improve the Quality of

Life in the community Implementing the principles of the Marquette Plan

into our lakeshore development plans

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Develop a plan to address the City’s

infrastructure needs Developed and continue to update a 5-year

Capital Improvement Plan to prioritize the replacement of infrastructure including: Street paving plan Sidewalk replacement plan Water line replacement plan Sewer line replacement plan Alley paving plan

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Develop a plan to address the City’s

infrastructure needs Completed a water line study to determine the

priority needs to upgrade the water system Made a commitment to review all infrastructure

needs when planning a project Investing capital into City owned buildings to

protect our assets Addressing emergency situations in a timely

fashion

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Implement change in the operation of local

government to improve our efficiency Participated and subsequently implemented the

majority of recommendations of the Good Government Initiative

Partnered with Hammond to bid jointly on asphalt and concrete projects

Developed a 5-year staffing plan Doing more with less employees

What are we doing to achieve our goals? Implement change in the operation of local

government to improve our efficiency Partnering with the School System to identify cost-

saving projects and opportunities Working with Hammond to identify potential cost-

savings projects and opportunities Trash collection and recycling program changes

unbelievably successful Aggressively seeking grants to supplement

funding

If we’re successful…

Whiting will become a place to visit…a destination place, where: Businesses are successful People can enjoy a traditional vibrant downtown

shopping district The Quality of Life is so outstanding that people

are waiting to purchase homes and move here There are multiple attractions such as museums,

art centers and recreational areas to enjoy

If we’re successful…

Property values will rise, while property taxes will continue to fall

Our tax structure is not heavily reliant on a single industrial tax payer

Our City’s infrastructure becomes easier to maintain and will accommodate future growth

Whiting will be one of the most efficiently run government operations in Indiana

Our Lakefront becomes an asset that we are proud to showcase

Project Update

Updates available on the web 24/7 Center Street homes

Single family vs. townhomes Booming – 12 new homes expected this year

Globe – Justak Properties Numerous interested parties BP – Private developers

Civil Defense changed to EMA Statutes changed – improved efficiency

Project Update

Ohio Avenue (this week) New water main, sewer replacement, drainage

issues resolved, new street surface 118th Street (this week)

New water main and new street surface New York Avenue (July)

New water main, new sidewalks, new curbs, new street surface, ornamental street lighting

Community Court (underway) New water main and new street surface

Project Update

Standard Ave. – Front Street – 121st Street 121st Street extended through existing refinery New water mains, new sewer lines/drainage,

3-lane roadway, new curbing, lighting, bike trail Allows for 50-acre industrial development and

improves existing industrial access Water Plant

BP expansion delays - Available land Will have a final plan in place by summer

Project Update

Water System Improvements Why – ISO – CIP New hydrants Ohio Avenue 118th Street New York Avenue Community Court Cleveland Avenue White Oak Avenue Standard Avenue, Front Street, 121st

Project Update

Parking Improvements WCC area

New angle parking along Clark Street New angle parking along Community Court (one-way) Additional parking spaces along existing island

WHS Football Field Changing lot entrance/exit to 117th Street Several new spaces added

119th Study underway Recapture lost spaces Look for new opportunities

Project Update

Parking Improvements Dr. Benchik area Fire Station area

City Hall renovations ADA compliance Resolve court security issues New office space for future consolidation

Senior Condos Waiting on developer to finalize plans

Project Update

Marina – Lakefront Development Working with BP for various approvals Developers waiting in line Position to fast track process after BP nod Infrastructure

$1M grant to install water, sewer, power lines into park – thanks to Congressman Pete Visclosky

Expected to begin this year

Former Tri-City Roofing property Clearing in preparation for development

Project Update

Whistle Ban – Quiet Zone Waiting for railroad action Exploring sound barrier options

Berms Sound proof walls

WCC New roof in June New windows underway Electrical improvements

Project Update

Economic Development Projects Valdes Engineering Walgreen’s Illiana Hotel John’s Pizzeria Significant regional hospital interest Working with 1 national and 1 regional restaurant Ethic Deli Large scale industrial project moving forward

Project Update

Demolition 1520 – 119th Street – complete 1601 Fischrupp – complete 3 small homes Steiber & New York – underway Globe Roofing

Recent Acquisitions Father & Sons Auto lot Reasoning Working on others

Project Update

Projects that have not yet received final approval Cleveland Avenue reconstruction

New water main, sewer line, sidewalks, curbing, and restored brick surface - $2.4M

Outside chance for 2007 – likely delayed to spring 2008 White Oak Avenue

New water main, sewer line, street resurfacing Correct several problems related to aging sewer line Emergency repairs to be completed in 2007 Outside chance for 2008 – likely delayed to spring 2009

Project Update

Tax Relief Still deciphering General Assembly action Local Homestead Credits approved by the City

Council for 2007 but eliminated by the legislature in 2008

Local income tax mandated No good indication of how trending will impact us Impact determined by the effect of trending on BP

Questions & Answers